biofilms Flashcards
what is the simple life cycle of a parasite?
- parasite
- enters/attaches host
- consolidation/multiplication in host
- causes harm
- release from host
- dissemination and transmission
what is a biofilm?
matrix-enclosed bacteria or fungal populations adherent to each other and/or to surfaces or interfaces
what are the defining characteristics of biofilm?
- defence
- community
- favorable habitat
- default mode
what are red cells?
dead
what are green cells?
alive
what is the planktonic cell?
free-swimming and unicellular phase
what is a micro-colony?
stage before biofilm- aggregates of a few dozen to a few thousand cells exhibited by many bacteria
what are the benefits of being a biofilm?
Protective environment
Co-ordinated cellular events
Division of labour
Extra Polymetric Substrate traps nutrients
so Less energy utilised
Survival in numbers
what three things are needed for biofilm development?
- micro-organism
- surface
(- conditioning film eg saliva in the mouth)
what is glycocalyx- ecm and its function?
- slime
- composed of exopolymeric substrate
- maintains hydrated environment
- microcolonies within are organised, allowing active diffusion
- maintains tissue-like integrity
- provides a protective barrier (immune factors and antibodies)
what are examples of oral biofilm diseases?
- caries
- endodontic infection
- periodontal infection
- oral malodour
- mucosal infection
what is important for forming a biofilm in the oral cavity?
steptococcus
plaque development
caries progression
- adhesion
- survival and growth
- biofilm formation
- complex plaque
- acid
- caries
bacterial polyaccharides
strep mutanes is very good at sticking to surfaces and causing damage
